Senators urge Trump Administration to combat human trafficking

U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) recently sent a letter to members of the Trump administration urging the federal government not to do business with contractors that have forced labor or human trafficking in their supply chains of companies.

Two executive orders (EOs), signed by previous administrations, aimed to curb the practice.

EO 13126 required federal contractors to certify that good faith efforts were made to determine whether forced or indentured child labor was used to produce or manufacture any product covered under a contract.

EO 13627 required federal agencies to ensure goods and services do not directly or indirectly involve human trafficking.

“The U.S. government is the largest single purchaser of goods and services in the world, and EOs 13126 and 13627 require agencies to take important steps to prevent the federal government from inadvertently supporting forced labor or human trafficking activities through its procurement,” the letter said. “Your agencies are tasked with enforcing our human trafficking and forced labor laws, and, as such, you have a responsibility to lead the federal government’s efforts to make sure its own supply chain does not involve either.”

The letter was sent to Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Attorney General William Barr.